What the Nationwide data shows
Nationwide’s June 2026 house price index recorded annual growth of 2.2%, up from 1.7% in May. On a monthly basis, prices were flat. The average UK house price now stands at £277,484.
Regional variation: your local market may differ
National averages can obscure significant regional differences. In Q2 2026, Nationwide’s regional breakdown showed:
- Northern Ireland: +8.6% year-on-year — the strongest performing region
- Scotland and northern England: above-average growth, supported by relative affordability
- Outer South East: +0.1% year-on-year — among the weakest
- London: modest recovery, with affordability constraining further growth
For homeowners considering equity release, the relevant figure is the current market value of their specific property — not the national average. Properties in regions with stronger growth may have seen more equity accumulate in recent years than the headline figure suggests, while those in lower-growth areas may be closer to the national average or below it.
How property value affects equity release calculations
Lifetime mortgage lenders calculate the maximum loan amount as a percentage of the property’s current value — the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Higher property values, all else being equal, mean a larger potential cash sum available from a given LTV band.
As an illustration of how LTV bands translate to cash sums at different property values:
| Property value | At 20% LTV | At 30% LTV | At 40% LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| £300,000 | £60,000 | £90,000 | £120,000 |
| £400,000 | £80,000 | £120,000 | £160,000 |
| £500,000 | £100,000 | £150,000 | £200,000 |
| £600,000 | £120,000 | £180,000 | £240,000 |
The LTV a lender will offer depends on the age of the youngest borrower and the specific product. These figures are illustrative only — individual illustrations will vary based on property valuation, borrower age, product type, and lender criteria.
The softer signals in the data
While the headline growth figure is positive, Nationwide’s chief economist noted several moderating factors in the June release: weaker consumer confidence, a notable fall in mortgage approvals in May (to 56,205, down from 66,034 in April), and continued pressure from energy costs and interest rates.
For homeowners not under time pressure, this broader context is useful background. Property values are still growing, but the pace of growth has slowed materially compared to the 2020–2022 period, and there is no guarantee that the current trajectory continues at the same rate.
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